[Greens-Media] APEC hammers nail in threatened species’ coffin

[Ian Cohen]

Media Release						             
6th September, 2007


APEC hammers nail in threatened species’ coffin

APEC leaders gathering in Sydney on September 7, National Threatened
Species Day, will offer little hope of habitat recovery with their
‘aspirational’ targets on climate change.
 
“The predicted failure of APEC leaders to make binding commitments on
climate change will be more than a lost opportunity to reduce emissions,
it will push species like the Mountain Pygmy Possum closer to extinction
due to habitat loss,” said Upper House Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“Threatened species are an ecological barometer on political action
to conserve species and prevent dangerous climate change.

“The New South Wales barometer - our list of native species,
populations and ecological communities listed as ‘threatened’ -
continues to shoot up. From 962  in 2005, the list now stands at 1,013.


“Although there are many factors contributing to pressures on NSW’s
threatened species, climate change is something that will eventually
affect them all according to Dr Lesley Hughes, chairwoman of the NSW
Scientific Committee.

“Sadly John Howard is the only Australian threatened species at the
APEC summit with any power to turn the tide of ecological extinctions,
but he’s showing no passion for the task,” said Mr Cohen.

Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466